Four investigators from the Texas Education Agency are scheduled to begin probing the Beaumont ISD at 8:30 a.m. Monday, and it could be the best thing to happen to the district in years.

Normally, taxpayers would be embarrassed that a state agency has to figure out why issues that should be handled locally have been bungled so badly. But the BISD has been so divided and dysfunctional in recent years that Beaumonters need all the help they can get.

The four main areas being investigated are the special education program, testing security and financial and student attendance accounting. If the TEA finds any wrongdoing there, it should not hesitate to take firm action.

We hope that BISD trustees and administrators have the sense to cooperate fully and put their best foot forward. On the other hand, taxpayers have learned to take nothing for granted with this troubled district.

The results of the TEA investigation won't be available until later, but the visit should serve as a wakeup call now. If nothing else, BISD officials should focus on technical and practical issues that have nothing to do with the political differences.

It would be nice if last week's change from Woodrow Reece to Gwen Ambres as board president represented a fresh start. The district sure needs one.

In the end, if the TEA can put the district on the right path, that would be great. If the TEA has to take over control of the district, that's OK too. Students and taxpayers deserve a functioning school district, however that is be achieved.